Tag Archives: Black marlin

Well as forecast the little marlin dominated the fishery out of Port Stephens this season, although some larger species up to 150kg were encounted,which were testing on the 10kg tackle, the small blacks were around in big numbers this season, the striped marlin as of yet have not turned up in the large numbers as previous years, although on some days, we had some great fishing with larger than normal striped marlin, but unfortunately the consistantancy was not there. The Viking 11 is still in Port Stephens until around the middle of this month, and still working and getting as usual great results, I am having a little break and will known Port Stephens Captain ShaneWilson is at the helm giving the clients some Great days. The South Alligator River is where I will be chasing Barra.

Speaking of Barra, I got a call from my eldest daughter Holly, 19 years old a couple of days ago. Daddy I just caught a 1.16 meter barra was her opening words, I was so stoked and proud as punch, Rhys Moore Holly’s Partner put her on the fish, and from all reports gave holly a hell of a fight, until the net went under the fish.

I arrived in Port Stephens a week ago and started fishing, and have done my first workshop and a charter day, The fishing has been nothing short of amazing, we have caught 14 marlin black and striped, and the students on my workshop experienced a phenominal day.

Sunday the 5th of February, was our day at sea for the students in the workshop, and what a day it was, it was also the second day of a tournament being held over the weekend, we started out letting the students use the rigging skills they got tought on the first day to present skipping baits, and also try there hand at switch baiting, it did not take long and we started marking fish on the sounders. The students could not believe how clear the fish marked on the large screen TV in the saloon. within minutes we were hooked up to 3 striped marlin at once, a bit of Chaos followed and we were soon unattached.

Due to the amount of boats fishing the same area and everyone else socking live baits, the fish were very finicky on the skip baits, but it was important for all to see all the technics they were taught the saturday at the dock. Soon after we released our first striped marlin on a skip bait, rigged by one of the class members. But it was becoming obvious that to truly maxiumise on the amount of fish in the area we would soon have to soak some live baits, down deeper in the water colume.

By lunch time we had finished all the tutorial with rigging skip baits, and teaser and switch baiting. The students were keen to start catching some number’s so with the help of the Viking 11’s excellent electronics, and our own specialised live baiting arrangement, we started catching in big numbers. By knockoff, we had caught 10 marlin for the day, not bad for a group of guys who many had never seen a marlin before, and were working the deck of a marlin boat for the first time.

Port Stephens is gong off this season so get aboard the mighty Viking 11 and experience a magnificent boat and unbelievable fishing.

Very sorry for no blog update yesterday but we have not seen a fish for two days, just lot’s of bycatch. Needless to say, the disco on the Viking was THE place to be with moi as the DJ spinning all the party favs.

Iron Chef Billy has been producing some amazing meals in the Viking Stadium, last night was a seafood feast starting with red emperor in tempura batter, closely followed by coral trout in a white wine and mango sauce, then, with all patrons satisfied, the job fish went out the window!

Previously, Billy’s Bistro has seen us eating rack of lamb, rib eye steaks and chicken pasta while the Deckies Deli has been producing some delightful lunches with BLT’s and roast beef and camberbert wraps to name a couple.

The bar has been keeping the drinks icy with liquor serving laws being abandoned – last drinks are when the Client says so or when she’s gone over the side – guess what’s first!!!

After a noice cooked breaky we’ll be heading out again to try and find the big girls, or any Mmmmm would be good – but please, no more Mahi Mahi.

For all of Billy’s fans out there who are getting a bit tired of checking the blog and finding it NOT updated (like me!!) this is for you!

Bill finished an 8 day charter with Phil, Matt, Tony and Mick and the boys all caught fish for a total of 6 for the trip. Phil had one hit the mark and after much debate, Tony’s Blue was approx 550-600. I know the guys had a great time with many memories made.

We started a 7 day charter and the weather gods haven’t been too kind. Day 1, no cigar (a nice 22kg yellowfin doesn’t count!!) but day 2 provided some joy with Steve catching a 550-600 Black with two other bites not sticking.

Hope all are enjoying Easter, Not much happening on the gold coast last week due to the bad weather, But Port Stephens is going off with a late bite on Striped marlin, The fish are big and healthy and good mate Scott from the little charter boat freedom has been getting amongst them with up to 6 1n a day. He also reports that the small trailer boats have been having a ball. I am keen to get back their, and although the Viking 11 is back working on the coast, I have the use of a similar vessel fot Port Stephens if anyone interested. Got some great deals available with accommodation, at recession rates. The Cairns Black Marlin season is also quickly approaching we have a good season booked but their is a couple of hot spots still available, and looking at the ocean currents for this season, it is going to be a cracker. Not much to do on Viking 11 this year after the big refit with the cummins last year, but a new teak deck will be laid and I am going to pick up the spray gun once more for a touch up.

Viking 11 is back on the Gold coast, and available for all charters, The black Marlin season here was the best for many years and also the boats looking for the Big blues were not dissapointed. Our season in Port Stephens was a little slow compared to the double didget days, of previous years but we did manage to keep our numbers up with some big blues up to 600lb, I still have the use of a 50ft custom for fishing the waters off Port stephens and of cause as soon as I pulled out of Port Stephens The Stripe marlin bite that Port Stephens is renowned for started. We can offer very competitive rated for fishing either the Gold Coast or Port Stephens so lets get together for some great fishing for either Black, Blue, and Striped marlin.

Finished my second workshop for Port Stephens, and again the students got to experience switch baiting a nice Blue marlin of around 130kg, it all went to plan as we had spent part of the previous day teaching, and the students were blown away see a blue engulf a skipping slimey mackerel so close to the boat, The blue performed well on the 24kg line class than went deep so I was able to show them some boat driving to assist in the fight, Love these new cummins QSM11 for responce. Another great workshop with great people, Call kim if you would like to join the next group,

Viking 11 is back on the coast, after a great trip from Cairns with my whole family on board, we spent New years at Hamilton island, and Visited White Haven Beach, and reefs in the capricornia Group, We had to make a dash to Hervey Bay due to bad weather, But caught up with friends but caught up with friends there, it was a great trip for the kids and they loved it.

We are now getting ready for our Port Stephens season, We have some great time slots still available there, and we will be running our workshops also at the Port. These are a great hit and no one has ever gone away not stoked about what they have seen and learnt. Go to the website to get all the information. The reports already coming from the Port are talking of plenty of stripes and blues and now the Blacks are starting to roll in that went through the Gold Coast recently. As always Port stephens is a great destination, hope to see you there.

Well on the Viking 11 not much to report on the marlin front, with the wind still very strong and good friend and regular client Beau Kuok happy to do light tackle for spanish mackerel and get amongest the trout before the reef closure. From the rest of the fleet Capt Jared on the Sharka let go a solid 850lber in the middle ribbons, and New boat Watchdog with Capt Crusty at the wheel let go a very healthy 700lber on Lindon Bank, The Current is still going to the north which is not what we really need but It is about to change. The wind is being a pest, but as we know in this game we have to take the good with the bad. Their has being some patches of small fish up to 400lb, and if in the right spot at the right time catching 3 a day is possible. Thats all folks.

Well the reef is doing what it is famous for, producing big fish, already their has been some giants released, up and over the Magic thousand lb mark, I started regular client the infamous Paul kelly yesterday and we had a cracker 2 hour session as soon as we put the baits in the water. Tagging 4 Black marlin to 350lb. marked the big girl but she did not interupt her smaller friends from their feasting. A lot of fish now are starting to arrive and it will be a big season

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